Pistons BenchRodney Stuckey Will BynumCorey MaggetteJonas JerebkoAustin DayeKhris MiddletonCharlie Villanueva Kim English Viacheslav Kravtsov Injuries NoneTeam ConnectionsTayshaun Prince and Rajon Rondo both attended the University of KentuckyJeff Green and Greg Monroe attended GeorgetownCorey Maggette and Chris Wilcox were teammates on the LA Clippers from 2002-06Pistons Head Coach Lawrence Frank was an assistant coach with the Celtics during the 2010-11 seasonPistons assistant coach Roy Rogers was an assistant with the Celtics during the 2010-11 season and played for the Celtics during the 1997-98 seasonPistons Assistant Coach Dee Brown played for the Celtics from 1990-98 and was drafted by the team with the 19th pick in the 1990 NBA DraftDarko Milicic was drafted by the Pistons with the 2nd pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and was a member of the 2004 NBA Championship teamMilicic played for Detroit from 2003-06.Chris Wilcox played for the Pistons from 2009-11.

Key Matchups vs Rajon Rondo vs Brandon Knight Rajon Rondo has been playing MVP level basketball. He seems to keep getting better and better. Knight has been playing well also, averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists. This should be a good matchup.

vs Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince This has been a great matchup over the years, Prince's length can give Pierce problems but Pierce's strength can also give Prince problems. Honorable MentionJason Terry vs Kyle Singler Singler is a 6'8" rookie shooting guard. Needless to say, he's got 6 inches on JET and should be able to get his shot off over Jason easily. He has been shooting 46% from beyond the arc and so will be a tough matchup. Don't be surprised to see Paul Pierce, Jeff Green or Courtney Lee guarding him if he gives JET problems.

Game NotesThe Celtics face former Celtics assistant Lawrence Frank and his Pistons for the first of 3 meetings this season. The Pistons won the series 2-1 last season. They have struggled this season and would love to get a win over the Celtics to boost their confidence.

The Celtics are 3-2 on the road while the Pistons are 0-3 at home. They have won just one game against 9 losses, getting a win over the Sixers on the road. The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games while the had Saturday off.

The Pistons have struggled on offense, scoring just 93 points per game. while the Celtics are averaging 97 ppg. The Pistons aren't much better on the boards than the Celtics, with the Pistons coming 28th with 38.8 rebounds per game and the Celtics coming in last with 37.6 rebounds per game.

Even though the Celtics played on Sunday, it was an afternoon game and so not quite as bad as if it was a night game. Also, since the Celtics were able to get a big lead, only Rondo played more than 30 minutes (32) and KG played only 17. It should be an easy game for the Celtics if they come in focused and ready to take care of business.

Keys to the Game Defense - It all begins with defense. The Celtics have been winning with defense. When they play lock down defense they are very hard to beat. When they get lax on defense, they struggle all the way around.

Rebound - The Celtics need to be aggressive on the boards. Rebounding is effort and if the Celtics are putting the effort out to grab rebounds then that effort will translate to the other areas of their game. They finally out-rebounded a team in their last game and hopefully that effort continues in this game.

Focus and Aggressiveness - It could be easy for the Celtics to let down their guard in this one. The Pistons are just 1-8 and the Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games. But they need to keep their focus and be aggressive. They have to be aggressive in going to the basket and not settle for jumpers. They have to be aggressive on defense and going for loose balls. They have lost easy games in the past because they play down to their opponents. They need to avoid that here.

X-FactorsBack to Back The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games on the road. Hopefully they have the focus and energy to get the win.

thanks for the game thread. i love the pix you use to start them off. the celtics should win this one easily and give the starters one more easy game.

go celtics!!!!

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Drummond played Fri. nite with 10pts,3rebs, and 2 blks in only 15 of PT.

On another note; Pistons are a big team with only 2 guys under 6'5" and seven players 6'10" or more. If Darko can't get into this game, Doc needs to be put on the line and asked what's up his butt about the guy!

Drummond played Fri. nite with 10pts,3rebs, and 2 blks in only 15 of PT.

On another note; Pistons are a big team with only 2 guys under 6'5" and seven players 6'10" or more. If Darko can't get into this game, Doc needs to be put on the line and asked what's up his butt about the guy!

The only way he puts Darko in the game is if Wilcox struggles badly or he decideds play KG at PF.